Craig police urge gun safety following juvenile incidents

Craig Police Department is encouraging parents to talk to their kids about gun safety following two recent incidents involving youth and guns in Craig.022517_GunSafety

Craig — Following two incidents in the past week involving youth and guns, the Craig Police Department is urging parents to teach their kids about gun safety.

When officers contacted a juvenile at Centennial Mall on Feb. 17, they found the youth was carrying a BB gun designed to look exactly like a handgun. The BB gun even had realistic-looking cartridges that can be loaded just as on a handgun.

The next day, a four-year-old boy saw the handle of a revolver handgun sticking out from the snow when out on a walk with his mother near 10th and Rose Street.

“Not only was it a firearm, it was loaded and relatively close to a school,” said Craig Police Commander Bill Leonard. “In this case, the four-year-old pointed it out to his mom, but it could’ve been two kids that found it and could’ve turned out totally different.”

As the self-proclaimed “elk-hunting capital of the world,” guns are a familiar part of Craig culture.

First and foremost, parents and adults should keep guns securely stored where kids cannot access them, Leonard said. He also encouraged parents to reach out to CPD for information and guidance on gun safety around kids.

The department regularly deploys Eddie Eagle, a character and program devised by the National Rifle Association to teach kids about guns in local schools and child care facilities.

“The program stresses the importance of not touching a gun and to tell an adult if a gun is found,” according to CPD’s website.

The Craig Press caught up with six Moffat County High School grads who have enlisted in the military after graduation. We wanted to know a little more about their hopes and dreams, and what inspired them to serve their country.